---
layout: page
title: Open [-Source-] Definition {+2.0+}
---
[-#-]{+Version 2.0+}
The Open [-Source-] Definition
[-## Introduction-]
[--]
[-Open source doesn't just mean access to-]{+makes precise+} the [-source code. The distribution terms-]{+meaning of "open" with respect to knowledge, promoting a robust commons in which anyone may participate, and interoperability is maximized.+}
{++}
{+**Summary:** *Knowledge is open if anyone is free to access, use, modify, and share it — subject, at most, to measures that preserve provenance and openness.*+}
{++}
{+This essential meaning matches that+} of [-open-source-]{+"open" with respect to+} software [-must comply-]{+as in the [Open Source Definition](http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd) and is synonymous+} with {+"free" or "libre" as in+} the [-following criteria:-]
[--]
[-### 1.-]{+[Definition of+} Free [-Redistribution-]{+Cultural Works](http://freedomdefined.org).+} The [-license shall not restrict any party-]{+Open Definition was initially derived+} from [-selling or giving away-] the [-software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs-]{+Open Source Definition, which in turn was derived+} from [-several different sources.-]{+the [Debian Free Software Guidelines](http://www.debian.org/social_contract).+}
The [-license shall not require a royalty-]{+term **work** will be used to denote the item+} or [-other fee for such sale.-]
[--]
[-### 2. Source Code-]{+piece of knowledge being transferred.+}
The [-program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form.-]{+term **license** refers to the legal conditions under which the work is+}{+made available.+} Where [-some form-]{+no license has been offered this should be interpreted+}{+as referring to default legal conditions governing use+} of [-a product is not distributed with source code, there-]{+the work (for +}{+example, copyright or public domain).+}
{++}
{+## 1. Open Works+}
{++}
{+An open **work**+} must {+satisfy the following requirements in its distribution:+}
{++}
{+### 1.1 Open License+}
{++}
{+The **work** *must*+} be {+available under an open **license** (as defined in Section 2).+}{+Any additional terms accompanying the work (such as+} a [-well-publicized means-]{+terms of use, or patents held by the licensor) *must not* +}{+contradict the terms+} of [-obtaining-] the [-source code for-]{+license.+}
{++}
{+### 1.2 Access+}
{++}
{+The **work** shall be available as a whole and at+} no more than a reasonable
{+one-time+} reproduction [-cost preferably, downloading-]{+cost, preferably downloadable+} via the Internet without charge.
{+Any additional information necessary for license compliance (such as names of +}{+contributors required for compliance with attribution requirements) *must* also +}{+accompany the work.+}
{++}
{+### 1.3 Open Format+}
The [-source code must-]{+**work** *must*+} be [-the preferred form-]{+provided+} in [-which-] a [-programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms-]{+convenient and modifiable form+} such [-as-]{+that there are no unnecessary technological obstacles to+} the [-output-]{+performance+} of {+the+}{+licensed rights. Specifically, data should be machine-readable, available in+}{+bulk, and provided in an open format (i.e., a format with+} a [-preprocessor-]{+freely available+}{+published specification which places no restrictions, monetary+} or [-translator are not allowed.-]{+otherwise, upon+}{+its use) or, at the very least, can be processed with at least one free/libre/open-source+}{+software tool.+}
{++}
{++}
{+## 2. Open Licenses+}
{++}
{+A **license** is open if its terms satisfy the following conditions:+}
### [-3. Derived Works-]{+2.1 Required Permissions+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* irrevocably permit (or allow) the following:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.1 Use+}
The [-license must-]{+**license** *must*+} allow [-modifications and derived works,-]{+free use of the licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.2 Redistribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow redistribution of the licensed work, +}{+including sale, whether on its own or as part of a collection made from +}{+works from different sources.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.3 Modification+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow the creation of derivatives of the licensed +}{+work+} and [-must-] allow [-them to be distributed-]{+the distribution of such derivatives+} under the same
terms [-as the license-] of the original [-software.-]
[--]
[-### 4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code-]{+licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.4 Separation+}
The [-license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form *only* if-]{+**license** *must* allow any part of+} the [-license allows-]{+work+}{+to be freely used, distributed, or modified separately from any other part +}{+of+} the {+work or from any collection of works in which it was originally +}{+distributed. All parties who receive any+} distribution of [-"patch files" with the source code for the purpose-]{+any part+} of [-modifying-]{+a work within+} the [-program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution-]{+terms+} of [-software built from modified source code. The-]{+the original+} license [-may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from-]{+should have the same rights+}{+as those that are granted in conjunction with+} the original [-software.-]
[--]
[-### 5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups-]{+work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.5 Compilation+}
The [-license must not-]{+**license** *must* allow the licensed work to be distributed along +}{+with other distinct works without placing restrictions on these other works.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.6 Non-discrimination+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not*+} discriminate against any person or [-group of persons.-]
[--]
[-### 6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor-]{+group.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.7 Propagation+}
{++}
{+The rights attached to the work *must* apply to all to whom it is redistributed +}{+without the need to agree to any additional legal terms.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.8 Application to Any Purpose+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow use, redistribution, modification, and +}{+compilation for any purpose.+} The license [-must not-]{+*must not*+} restrict anyone
from making use of the [-program-]{+work+} in a specific field of endeavor. [-For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business,-]{+#### 2.1.9 No Charge+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not* impose any fee arrangement, royalty,+} or [-from being used for genetic research.-]
[--]
[-### 7. Distribution-]{+other+}{+compensation or monetary remuneration as part+} of [-License-]{+its conditions.+}
{++}
{+### 2.2 Acceptable Conditions+}
The [-rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom-]{+**license** shall not limit, make uncertain, or otherwise diminish+} the [-program is redistributed without-]{+permissions +}{+required in Section 2.1 except by+} the [-need for execution-]{+following allowable conditions:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.1 Attribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require distributions+} of [-an additional license by those parties.-]
[--]
[-### 8. License Must Not Be Specific-]{+the work+} to [-a Product-]
[--]
[-The-]{+include attribution+}{+of contributors,+} rights [-attached to the program must-]{+holders, sponsors and creators as long as+}{+any such prescriptions are+} not [-depend on the program's being part-]{+onerous.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.2 Integrity+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require that modified versions+} of a [-particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and used-]{+licensed work+}{+carry a different name+} or [-distributed within-]{+version number from+} the [-terms-]{+original work or +}{+otherwise indicate what changes have been made. +}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.3 Share-alike+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require copies or derivatives+} of [-the program's license, all parties-]{+a licensed work+} to [-whom the program is redistributed should have-]{+remain+}{+under a license+} the same [-rights-] as [-those that are granted in conjunction with-]{+or similar to+} the [-original software distribution.-]
[--]
[-### 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software-]{+original.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.4 Notice+}
The [-license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with-]{+**license** *may* require retention of copyright notices and identification of+} the [-licensed software. For example,-]{+license.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.5 Source+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require modified works to be made available in a form preferred for further modification.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.6 Technical Restriction Prohibition+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* prohibit distribution of+} the [-license must not insist that all other programs distributed-]{+work in a manner where technical measures impose restrictions+} on the [-same medium must be open-source software.-]
[--]
[-### 10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral-]
[--]
[-No provision-]{+exercise+} of {+otherwise allowed rights.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.7 Non-aggression+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require modifiers to grant+} the {+public additional permissions (for example, patent licenses) as required for exercise of the rights allowed by the license. The+} license may [-be predicated-]{+also condition permissions+} on {+not aggressing against licensees with respect to exercising+} any [-individual technology or style of interface.-]
[--]
[-*Last modified, 2007-03-22*-]
[--]
[-___-]
[--]
[-*Copy of <http://opensource.org/docs/osd> licensed under <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>.*-]{+allowed right (again, for example, patent litigation).+}